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Notre Dame Basketball: Irish Fall to West Virginia, Eliminated From 2017 NCAA Tournament

By Noah Strackbein

Mar 18, 2017; Buffalo, NY, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Matt Ryan (4) reacts after a loss to the West Virginia Mountaineers during the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at KeyBank Center. West Virginia won 83-71. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2017; Buffalo, NY, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Matt Ryan (4) reacts after a loss to the West Virginia Mountaineers during the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at KeyBank Center. West Virginia won 83-71. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports /
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In a game completely controlled by West Virginia, Notre Dame basketball was eliminated from the 2017 NCAA Tournament falling their loss to the Mountaineers.

After starting the game on the wrong end of a 10-0 run, Notre Dame never found themselves in the lead against West Virginia. From the outset, the Fighting Irish found themselves struggling to produce anything.

It seemed as though nothing could go right for Notre Dame in this game. Their ten first half turnovers, V.J. Beachem’s 2-14 shooting, and West Virginia’s 57% shooting from deep all combine for a game Notre Dame was destined to lose.

Bonzie Colson led the way for the Irish, keeping them in the game more than once. Despite picking up his fourth foul halfway through the second half, Colson finished with 27 points. Although he only finished with one board, his presence on the floor help Notre Dame keep this game close multiple times.

Jevon Carter was the star for the Mountaineers. His 24 points and four threes never failed West Virginia. Every time the Irish started to work their way back into the game, Carter would match with big shots of his own. With four players cracking double-digits points, it was clear that West Virginia was totally in-sync offensively.

After a run to the ACC Championship, four All-ACC members, and one of the best seasons they’ve had in years, Notre Dame proved everyone wrong right until the last game. Even with an early exit, this season was a success in the eyes of the Irish.

Now, they look to begin rebuilding for next season. With one of the top recruits in the 2017 class, DJ Harvey, coming to South Bend next year, the Irish are in great shape to surpass the success they had this season.

For the seniors, Notre Dame fans everywhere will forever remember the memories these men gave them. Throughout the last four years, they’ve supplied an ACC title and two Elite Eight runs. As they take on the chapter in their lives, we all follow to watch their achievements in their next journey.

Next: 30 Things Notre Dame Fans NEED to Do

With five ACC teams remaining, the action within the conference is far from over. Even if Notre Dame’s season ended, March Madness is full stocked and just getting rolling in 2017.